roll of thunder, hear my cry - chapters 1 & 2 discussion questions

ROLL OF THUNDER, HEAR MY CRY CHAPTERS 1 & 2 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

By: Mildred D. Taylor

CHAPTERS 1 & 2 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Identify the setting of the story.


1. Answer

The story is set in Mississippi in the 1930s.


2. Why has Papa gone away to work on the

railroad?


2. Answer

Because the price of cotton has dropped, Papa

doesn’t make enough money to live on and pay

the mortgage.


3. Why does Papa believe that the land is so

important?


3. Answer

If you own land, you never have to live on anyone

else’s place, and that gives you independence.


4. Why do the Logan children arrive at school

dirty and dusty?


4. Answer

They must walk for an hour along a dusty road.

Also, the driver of the school bus carrying the

white children deliberately drives fast and close

to the children in order to raise a cloud of dust

and get them dirty.


5. What upsets Little Man when he gets his book

from the teacher?


5. Answer

It’s dirty, it’s worn out, and has been passed

down to black students who are identified as

nigra on the label.


6. What is the real reason Papa has brought Mr.

Morrison to live with the family?


6. Answer

There’s been trouble, and Papa feels that his

family could be in special danger. It is someone

to protect the family while Papa works away at

the railroad.


7. Mr. Lanier says of a lynching, “…ain’t a thing

gonna be done ‘bout it.” Why is he so certain

that the guilty people will not be punished?


7. Answer

In this instance, the white men responsible for

killing John Henry are so sure they won’t be

punished that they’re boasting about what they

did.

roll of thunder, hear my cry - chapters 1 & 2 discussion questions

Documents

Transcript of roll of thunder, hear my cry - chapters 1 & 2 discussion questions